G-SYNC 101: Control Panel


G-SYNC Module

The G-SYNC module is a small chip that replaces the display’s standard internal scaler, and contains enough onboard memory to hold and process a single frame at a time.

The module exploits the vertical blanking interval (the span between the previous and next frame scan) to manipulate the display’s internal timings; performing G2G (gray to gray) overdrive calculations to prevent ghosting, and synchronizing the display’s refresh rate to the GPU’s render rate to eliminate tearing, along with the delayed frame delivery and adjoining stutter caused by traditional syncing methods.

G-SYNC Demo

The below Blur Busters Test UFO motion test pattern uses motion interpolation techniques to simulate the seamless framerate transitions G-SYNC provides within the refresh rate, when directly compared to standalone V-SYNC.

G-SYNC Activation

“Enable for full screen mode” (exclusive fullscreen functionality only) will automatically engage when a supported display is connected to the GPU. If G-SYNC behavior is suspect or non-functioning, untick the “Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible” box, apply, re-tick, and apply.

Blur Buster's G-SYNC 101: Control Panel

G-SYNC Windowed Mode

“Enable for windowed and full screen mode” allows G-SYNC support for windowed and borderless windowed mode. This option was introduced in a 2015 driver update, and by manipulating the DWM (Desktop Windows Manager) framebuffer, enables G-SYNC’s VRR (variable refresh rate) to synchronize to the focused window’s render rate; unfocused windows remain at the desktop’s fixed refresh rate until focused on.

G-SYNC only functions on one window at a time, and thus any unfocused window that contains moving content will appear to stutter or slow down, a reason why a variety of non-gaming applications (popular web browsers among them) include predefined Nvidia profiles that disable G-SYNC support.

Note: this setting may require a game or system restart after application; the “G-SYNC Indicator” (Nvidia Control Panel > Display > G-SYNC Indicator) can be enabled to verify it is working as intended.

G-SYNC Preferred Refresh Rate

“Highest available” automatically engages when G-SYNC is enabled, and overrides the in-game refresh rate selector (if present), defaulting to the highest supported refresh rate of the display. This is useful for games that don’t include a selector, and ensures the display’s native refresh rate is utilized.

“Application-controlled” adheres to the desktop’s current refresh rate, or defers control to games that contain a refresh rate selector.

Note: this setting only applies to games being run in exclusive fullscreen mode. For games being run in borderless or windowed mode, the desktop dictates the refresh rate.

G-SYNC & V-SYNC

G-SYNC (GPU Synchronization) works on the same principle as double buffer V-SYNC; buffer A begins to render frame A, and upon completion, scans it to the display. Meanwhile, as buffer A finishes scanning its first frame, buffer B begins to render frame B, and upon completion, scans it to the display, repeat.

The primary difference between G-SYNC and V-SYNC is the method in which rendered frames are synchronized. With V-SYNC, the GPU’s render rate is synchronized to the fixed refresh rate of the display. With G-SYNC, the display’s VRR (variable refresh rate) is synchronized to the GPU’s render rate.

Upon its release, G-SYNC’s ability to fall back on fixed refresh rate V-SYNC behavior when exceeding the maximum refresh rate of the display was built-in and non-optional. A 2015 driver update later exposed the option.

This update led to recurring confusion, creating a misconception that G-SYNC and V-SYNC are entirely separate options. However, with G-SYNC enabled, the “Vertical sync” option in the control panel no longer acts as V-SYNC, and actually dictates whether, one, the G-SYNC module compensates for frametime variances output by the system (which prevents tearing at all times. G-SYNC + V-SYNC “Off” disables this behavior; see G-SYNC 101: Range), and two, whether G-SYNC falls back on fixed refresh rate V-SYNC behavior; if V-SYNC is “On,” G-SYNC will revert to V-SYNC behavior above its range, if V-SYNC is “Off,” G-SYNC will disable above its range, and tearing will begin display wide.

Within its range, G-SYNC is the only syncing method active, no matter the V-SYNC “On” or “Off” setting.

Currently, when G-SYNC is enabled, the control panel’s “Vertical sync” entry is automatically engaged to “Use the 3D application setting,” which defers V-SYNC fallback behavior and frametime compensation control to the in-game V-SYNC option. This can be manually overridden by changing the “Vertical sync” entry in the control panel to “Off,” “On,” or “Fast.”



3285 Comments For “G-SYNC 101”

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Emzy549
Member
Emzy549

Quick question: Should I keep low latency on and also enable Reflex in-game? I followed your guide and play COD BO6. I use the in-game FPS limiter set to 245, which is 5 FPS below my monitor’s refresh rate. Should both low latency and Reflex stay on, and should I do the same for other games with Reflex? My setup: RTX 4080 Super, Ryzen 7 7800X3D, and a 240Hz monitor.

rec0veryyy
Member
rec0veryyy

Why on OLED monitors is not recommended to activate gsync + vsync on the nvidia panel and lower -3 fps with RTSS and on TN and IPS monitors yes according to this Blurbusters guide? I currently have a LG 27gl85p-b NanoIPS of 144 and for years I have vsync + vsync enabled on the nvidia panel and limit the fps to -3 with nvcp or rtss (gives the same) because with OLED is not done so? This Wednesday I get the new Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q2 monitor which is OLED 240Hz that I ordered and I have this doubt, could you please tell me how I should configure the nvidia panel and what I should do? now I go super fluid and I want to feel the same.

nikdreamx
Member
nikdreamx

so i have an issue on gl850 idc about blur but responsiveness and refresh rate. i play bf v 300 fps dips to 200 and when i respawn for 10 sec responsiveness is very good hz too but later my mouse movement becomes sluggish like slow mo kinda and in engagements my hz seems way lower than 144 hz and its tilting. somehow i managed to fix it and instantly game become easy but its back and its unplayable i hope u can help me because i dont know if i should get new monitor or there is a fix.

jajukapsn
Member
jajukapsn

Hello, this is one thing I’ve been curious about for a while.
When using G-Sync with a 60fps game your refresh rate will match the FPS, so you’ll be playing at 60hz. What I’m curious about is if the 60hz delay value of the monitor in-question will be the one that matters here, or if somehow the monitor’s max refresh rate may have some sort of relevance?

Sorry if the wording is weird, I just want to know if the “Native Resolution @ 60Hz” input lag value given on RTINGS is something which is relevant in this scenario. So I suppose the question really is just:
-does 60fps G-Sync on have the same input lag as 60hz G-Sync off.

For context, I primarily play fighting games so playing a competitive game @ 60fps is very common for me. I am aware that G-Sync will add delay but I never fully understood if there is a bigger impact being made to input lag due to going down to 60hz (I am currently using a 144hz monitor).

ez4angelo
Member
ez4angelo

Hey, again. Someone in reddit have tested an command in CS2 that removes Reflex from the game, improving 1% lows and stuttering. The settings that he recommend are:

NCPL: GSYNC ON, VSYNC ON, LLM ON, Max Frame Rate 6% low of the refresh rate.
Ingame: No frame limiter, VSYNC Off.

If reflex is no available/ bad implemented and also the frame limiter, this settings can work better?
Here is the reference: https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalOffensive/comments/1gu9h7l/godtier_setting_for_best_frames_dont_use_reflex/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

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